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I used the one I made in 2009 until a few weeks ago. I replaced it with the iAqua. It is now sitting in my closet because I don't have the heart to through it out.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

You can always use parts from it in other projects. Let the electronics hoarding begin!

01-22-2016 05:13 AM

lovingHDTV

I used the one I made in 2009 until a few weeks ago. I replaced it with the iAqua. It is now sitting in my closet because I don't have the heart to through it out.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

01-18-2016 01:00 AM

monkeyruler90

thinking about building one of these suckers

04-29-2014 11:48 PM

jflng

This DIY is worth bringing back up once in a while. It's been a long time since anyone has posted anything here, so I'll move it to the top with a bad cell phone pic of the Wasser-Controller I recently built:

It's not pretty, but it doesn't really have to be. It works great, and should (hopefully) power everything I need for two aquarium racks.

I made two power stations that I can plug into separate wall sockets (separate breakers) next to each rack. I liked the CAT5 disconnects discussed in this thread, but decided to use thermostat wire and DMX plugs on this build.

Thanks for this idea Wasserpest, and thanks to everybody else in this thread! I should have built one of these years ago!

Just as an update - looks like the (my) controller has been working flawlessly for 5 years. Not bad! Every other year I change the 9V battery to keep its settings memorized in case the power goes out. Twice a year the time is adjusted for Summer/Winter time. The precision of how this thing keeps time is pretty amazing, I am talking about few seconds/year fluctuation.

Only thing I wish would be to have EIGHT independent channels instead of six. But for most smaller tanks (this one runs a 250gal tank) six should be sufficient.

Few DIYs go that well and last that long.

Good to hear. I built mine in early 2010, and it's still working great. I've had to change the 9V once. I built it like Jens with the built in rack mount. I really enjoy the rack mount so I really easily override the timer and turn on lights or do an extra shot of fertilizers.

It was fun to build, holds up well, and does the job at a fraction of the price of turn key controllers on the market.

10/10, would build again.

08-27-2013 05:41 PM

Wasserpest

Just as an update - looks like the (my) controller has been working flawlessly for 5 years. Not bad! Every other year I change the 9V battery to keep its settings memorized in case the power goes out. Twice a year the time is adjusted for Summer/Winter time. The precision of how this thing keeps time is pretty amazing, I am talking about few seconds/year fluctuation.

Only thing I wish would be to have EIGHT independent channels instead of six. But for most smaller tanks (this one runs a 250gal tank) six should be sufficient.

Yep, they still sell it at HD here at $33 each if I remember correctly. I still haven't got around to completing my WC.

02-23-2012 03:47 PM

epond83

not trying to advertise here but I had the same problem finding one, I got a good deal on smarthome .com also customer service from dig is great! I had a bad transformer, called them up and they sent one out right away for free. Zero hold time, no automated system.

02-22-2012 09:29 PM

Craigthor

I may have to take you up on this, will need to wait till next payday but I could use 2 of them. The ones I was susposed to get locally werent even close to the right thing... LOL at the employee helping me over the phone.

Craig

02-22-2012 08:05 PM

Wasserpest

Our HD still sells the DIG8006. If you want to build a WC and can't find the controller locally or online shoot me a pm. With tax and shipping it would cost you $47.

02-17-2012 02:41 AM

epond83

The switch rack is rated at 15 amps with a fuse so don't over load that either.

Unfortunately no such luck here or the HD web site. If you see a couple let me know as I'm still doing some research on what I want to do.

Criag

I can probably check next Tuesday. Incl shipping they should run around $45. Please pm me if you want me to check.

The program you described sounds good. If you want to stagger the lights, adding a second controller like some have described in this thread would work. With 3x150W you need to look at the wattage that the relay contacts can handle (unless you put them on three different relays).

02-16-2012 02:37 PM

Gatekeeper

You know you can only have two active zone switches at a time right?

02-15-2012 07:28 PM

Craigthor

So what I am thinking is to use one controllers 2 on channels to run 5 switches of the 9 available. Here is what I was thinking let me know if it sounds feasible.